The total number of trade licences issued by the Dubai Department of Economic Department (DED) during the second quarter of 2012 reached 4,499, a 17% increase from the 3,859 licences issued over the same period in 2011. More licenses were issued in the Commercial, Professional, Tourism and Industrial categories reflecting a growing interest in investing and doing business in Dubai.

“The Tourism sector accounted for the largest increase (51%) in business licenses during the April-June 2012 period. Professional licences increased by 19% and Commercial licenses by 16% during the same period,” said Mohammed Shael Al Saadi, Chief Executive officer of Business Registration and Licensing (BRL) division at DED.

At the same time, Commercial licenses accounted for 73% of the total licences issued, followed by Professional (25%). The remaining two per cent was equally split between the Industrial and Tourism sectors. Amended licenses increased 11% in the second quarter.

DED’s total transactions relating to business registration and licensing reached 158,174 during the second quarter of 2012, an increase of 22% year on year. Reserved trade names increased 35% to 17,385 while initial approvals touched 8,068, an increase of 28%.

“The Intelaq licenses for home-based businesses and professional activities grew three per cent year on year and the increase was up to 60 per cent in the Professional services category,” Al Saadi added. Commercial licenses under Intelaq dropped 17% but this was mainly due to recent rearrangements made in license provisions, wherein Intelaq licenses are handled by Dubai SME.

The total number of commercial activities licensed in the second quarter was 12,236, with General trade leading the list of the top ten licensed activities (535 licences) followed by Dyes & paints (433), both showing a four per cent increase. Tiling of floors and walls (414); Carpentry and flooring (408); Sanitary extensions & wares (395); Installation of air conditioning systems, ventilation and air purification (381): Installation of suspended ceilings and light partitions (368) and Readymade garments (314) come next in the list.

The number of professional activities licensed reached 3,133 in the second quarter with Residences & building cleaning services leading the list of the top ten licensed activities with 277 licences – an increase of nine per cent – followed by Restaurants (133), Sewing and Embroidery.

Joumana Saad

Before joining SME Advisor, I worked as a producer/reporter for Forbes Media in New York. I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and International Studies at the University of South Florida in the US. I am currently in Dubai working as Sub-Editor for SME Advisor Middle East, which is a business magazine published by CPI. You can follow me on Twitter: @joumanasaad or @SMEadvisorME and (Joumana Saad) or (SME Advisor) on LinkedIn.

SME Advisor Middle East is aimed at business owners and senior executives across the GCC. Armed with practical advice, it has been highlighting key business issues for the small and medium enterprise segment since its launch in 2005.